Easy-change jumbo roll holder

ABSTRACT

A device used to hold a roll of material, such as toilet paper, by means of two cooperating oppositely mounted assemblies each comprising of a hinged bracket, consisting of an engagement arm, actuator leg and hinge mount secured to a supporting base. Upon roll insertion, the edge of the roll contacts the actuator legs which in turn pivot the engagement arms into the central core of the toilet roll. The engagement arms provide a means of mating, retaining, centering and unwinding of the roll and facilitate removal of the spent core. The disclosed device is superior to the standard spring-loaded spindle or peg design by allowing easy one-handed roll changing from above with no blind mating or loose parts as well as upgrading standard roll holders to accommodate various sized rolls.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to toilet paper roll holderswhether standalone or as an adaptor kit for modifying a conventionaltoilet or paper towel holder to accept a larger diameter paper roll,make it easier to change rolls from above, add more friction to maketearing easier without rapid unroll, allow decorative additions andreduce parts and materials for easier manufacturability and reliability.

[0002] Various devices have been proposed to avoid the use of a spindle.Representative examples of such devices are shown in Reilly U.S. Pat.No. 6,189,828 and Paul U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,253. In those devices, a stubaxle or peg is automatically received within the core of the tissuepaper when the paper is inserted into the holder from below. The axlecan be pivoted out of the core when the roll is to be removed orinserted. Various devices have been proposed to accommodate largerdiameter rolls in a standard holder. A representative example of such isGreer U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,404. This device adds extender brackets whichsupport a standard spindle. The invention described herein avoids theuse of a spindle and allows insertion of a jumbo roll from above byemploying hinged brackets which incorporate actuating legs for theengagement arms.

[0003] The present invention relates to a roll holder which can be usedto hold any material stored on or dispensed from a roll, including butnot limited to toilet paper, tape, hand towels, plastic wrap, string,rope, cables and chain.

[0004] While the present invention is directed towards a roll holderwhich can be used to hold any material stored on or dispensed from aroll, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is for use forholding toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls. Such discussion,however, should not be interpreted as limiting the use of this inventionto toilet paper and paper towels rolls.

[0005] The current trend in the production of domestic household toiletpaper rolls is to double the number of sheets per roll making such rollssubstantially larger in diameter. Manufacturers of household toiletpaper have recognized that increasing the diameter of the rolls reducesthe cost of packaging materials and warehousing space and reduces theend cost to the consumer. Unfortunately, the larger rolls do not fitwell into the standard mountings which were intended to

[0006] suit the standard diameter rolls. Thus, the consumer is facedwith the problem unanticipated by the manufacturer. The larger sizedrolls, which are more economical, will not fit the standard sizedholder. The problem is particularly acute with recessed type of in-wallmounting of which there are many millions already in existence. Theresult is that the consumer is discouraged from purchasing the moreeconomical larger roll or does purchase it and has no practical holderfor it. The larger roll must simply be balanced on a towel rack orplaced on the toilet tank top, cabinet top, or on the edge of the tub oreven on the floor until the toilet paper consumption has sufficientlyreduced the size to permit it to fit the standard holder. Theinconvenience and unsanitary nature of this solution is obvious.

[0007] What is needed is a simple adaptor which permits the larger sizedrolls to be used on the standard sized holder.

[0008] The second major problem this toilet roll holder addresses is thedifficulty encountered by most people in manipulating the spring loadedspindle when changing rolls. People who lack dexterity due to arthritisor other infirmities find it difficult to replace rolls on suchconventional toilet paper roll holders. It takes two hands, it'sdifficult to find the insertion holes in the standard holder because itmust be done blindly, sometimes the spindle pops apart or gets lost, notto mention how unsanitary it is to handle the spindle. As a result, manytoilet rolls are left around the bathroom un-mounted.

[0009] What is needed is a toilet roll holder which allows easyone-handed, top-loaded insertion and removal with no loose parts, noblind mating and no contact with anything but the sanitary paper inorder to encourage people to mount the roll properly.

[0010] Another disadvantage to the prior art roll holders describedabove is that they are made for only one length of roll. If such a rollholder is made of one longitudinal size for use with toilet paper, itcannot also be used for holding paper towels of a different longitudinalsize.

[0011] Another disadvantage to the prior art roll holders describedabove is that the spindle does not provide sufficient friction betweenitself and the roll in order to prevent too much material from beingunrolled too rapidly.

[0012] Another disadvantage to the prior art roll holders describedabove is that the spindle requires a relatively large amount ofmaterial, parts and assemblage.

[0013] Another disadvantage to the prior art roll holders describedabove is that the spindle is relatively hidden inside the roll so thatits ability to provide a decorative function is limited.

[0014] The present adaptor solves the problems discussed above in amanner not revealed in the known prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0015] This invention relates generally to toilet paper roll holderswhether standalone or as an adaptor kit for converting standard toiletpaper roll holders intended for standard size toilet paper rolls toaccept larger toilet paper rolls while making it easier to change saidrolls.

[0016] The kit provides a means of overcoming the objections to usinglarger than standard toilet paper rolls without having to replace thestandard toilet paper roll holders which are already installed in themajority of households in the United States and elsewhere.

[0017] The invention encourages manufacturers to promote and consumersto take advantage of the economy and conservation advantages inherent inlarger size toilet paper rolls.

[0018] This invention makes it easier to change rolls by replacing thestandard spring loaded spindle with hinged brackets which guide the rolleasily into position. Accordingly, it is the general object of thepresent invention to provide a roll holder on which the roll can beeasily changed from above using one hand. Another object is to provide aroll holder which requires no fine or delicate motions to maneuver theold roll off of the roll holder and to maneuver the new roll onto theroll holder.

[0019] By avoiding the use of springs, this invention will make thetoilet roll holder more durable. The minimal amount of material requiredto make the adaptor kit embodiment will make it relatively easy andinexpensive to manufacture, store and ship. In fact, the bracket, baseand hinge can be stamped out of a single piece of material using aflexible hinge. Certain embodiments of this invention may require theuse of springs to pivot the hinged brackets upward and hence spring useis not excluded.

[0020] The brackets provide more friction than a standard roll spindlewhich aids in preventing too much material from being unrolled toorapidly.

[0021] The engagement arms are designed to properly center the toiletroll in relation to the rear cavity so that the aesthetics of the rollare improved over mounting on the standard roll spindle which neithercenters the roll horizontally or vertically.

[0022] By avoiding the use of a fixed size spindle, this invention canaccommodate any roll width by mounting the the bases appropriately aparte.g. this device can be mounted on a paper towel holder in order toaccommodate paper towels.

[0023] The invention can also add a decorative touch to standard toiletroll holders by having ornamental brackets. Since the brackets arevisible, they can be made very diverse and decorative for bathroomornamentation. The bases can be printed with advertisement. Thedecorative aspect is essential to the invention being accepted into theconsumer's bathroom where aesthetics are crucial.

[0024] This toilet paper roll holder adaptor kit is inexpensive, simpleto manufacturer, easy to install, decorative and performs its intendedfunction with particular efficiency. The adaptor kit avoids the optionof replacing existing toilet roll holders in order to accommodate largerdiameter rolls.

[0025] In accordance with the objectives of the present invention, theinvention comprises of two cooperating oppositely mounted assemblieseach comprising of a hinged bracket, consisting of

[0026] an engagement arm, actuator leg and hinge mount secured to asupporting base whereby upon roll insertion, the edge of the rollcontacts the actuator legs (second position) which in turn pivot theengagement arms into the central core of the toilet roll (firstposition) and said engagement arms provide a means of mating, retaining,centering and unwinding of the roll and facilitate removal of the spentcore. Further, the mounting base includes one or more stops to limit therotation of the bracket and can either be directly mounted to a wall orcabinet in one embodiment, become integral to the shell in another or,in the adaptor kit embodiment, attach to the opposed side mountingportions of a conventional toilet paper roll holder.

[0027] Still other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the followingdetailed description, wherein I have shown and described the preferredembodiment by way of illustration of the best mode of the invention.However, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrativein nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is furtherdescribed in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an empty adaptor kit toilet paperholder in accordance with the invention;

[0030]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tissue holder of FIG. 1showing the position of the hinged brackets as the tissue roll is beingsupported;

[0031]FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 showing theposition of the hinged brackets as the tissue core is being removed;

[0032]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pivot shaft and a front viewof the pivot mounting between the hinged bracket and base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, a standard toilet roll shell (10) can berecessed into a wall where it is adapted to retain a roll of toilettissue, part of which will be within the recessed cavity (11). Thesupport structure for the roll of toilet tissue comprises two mirroredassemblies attached to opposed side mounting portions (12) of a concaveshell (10). Each includes a support base (14) to which a pivot shaft(15) is secured as described below. A hinged bracket's (16) hub (22) issecured around the pivot (15), for example by a flange on the outer edgeof the pivot, so that the brackets (16) can pivot downwardly from theirpositions illustrated in FIG. 1. As the roll (21) is inserted fromabove, it first makes contact with the actuator legs (24) which pivotthe engagement arms (23) into the core of the roll (21).

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the brackets (16) support a roll of tissuepaper (21) by engagement with the conventional core on which the tissuepaper is wound.

[0035] The bases (14) of the mounting assembly are preferably mounted atthe mid-point of the horizontal portions of the sides (12) so thatsubstantially the entire cavity (11) of the shell (10) can be filledwith the roll of paper. Other embodiments of the base may include a holeor pimple to align with existing spindle mounting holes in the sides(12). The shape of the hinged brackets' arms (23) makes a “V” whichcenters the roll (21) in the cavity (11) both vertically andhorizontally. Any skew in the roll can be corrected by shaving the lowerstop (17) on the base (14) of the higher hinged bracket (16).

[0036]FIG. 3 shows the position of the brackets (16) after the roll ofpaper has been depleted and the core (21) is being removed. As the core(21) is lifted upwards, it forces each of the brackets (16) to rotateupwardly so that the ends of the engagement arms (23) will separate adistance sufficient to enable the core (21) to pass between them so thatit can be removed from the shell (10). The brackets (16) remain in thisposition either by friction or by mating dimples (19,20) on the pivotand a flat on the hinged bracket's hub (22). The dimples and flat canoccur anywhere on the pivot or hub. The horizontal dimple (20) isdesigned to push the engagement arms (23) farther apart than would bepossible by a friction mount alone. This dimple (20) also renders thestop (18) on the base (14) redundant. The vertical dimple (19) is thereto relieve needless stress on the hub (22) when the roll (21) isengaged. The lower stop (17) on the base (14) takes precedence over thedimple (19) in positioning the bracket (16) when it is engaged. Thepivot structure of dimples and flats can also be replaced by springs toforce the brackets (16) open in other embodiments if necessary.

[0037] There are many different constructions which can be used toachieve the desired objective as described above, namely, the hingedbrackets (16) and bases (14) have a distinctive and ornamental shape.Obviously, the ornamental aspects of the structural components of theinvention form no part of the invention.

[0038] The base (14) is generally flat and may be secured to the sides(12) by adhesive or two-sided adhesive tape (13) which is generally notvisible when the device is installed on a conventional toilet rollholder. For the standalone embodiment, the inner part of the base is notneeded and only the small outer part with stops (17,18) becomes integralwith the sides (12). For either embodiment, the base and bracket can bestamped from a single piece of material if a flexible hinge is used.

[0039] The pivot (15) is inserted through a hole in the outer part ofthe base (14) and is basically held fast to the point of being integralwith the base. The hinged bracket's (16) hub (22) wraps around the pivotand is held in place by an outer flange on the pivot. The horizontaldimple (20) on the pivot (15) and a flat on the hub (22) are designed toextend the motion of the brackets while the stops (17,18) are designedto limit it.

[0040] In view of the above, it will be seen that various aspects andfeatures of the invention are achieved and other advantageous resultsattained. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications may be made therein without departing from theinvention in its broader aspects.

What is claimed as my invention is:
 1. A device used to hold a roll ofmaterial, such as toilet paper, by means of two cooperating oppositelymounted assemblies each comprising of a hinged bracket, consisting of anengagement arm, actuator leg and hinge mount secured to a supportingbase whereby upon roll insertion, the edge of the roll contacts theactuator legs (second position) which in turn pivot the engagement armsinto the central core of the toilet roll (first position) and saidengagement arms provide a means of mating, retaining, centering andunwinding of the roll and facilitate removal of the spent core.
 2. Anapparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each hinged bracket issupported on a hinge pivot mounted to a base wherein said base, pivotand hinged bracket include cooperating means for controlling therotation of the bracket relative to the base, at the first position sothat the arms can hold up the roll and at the second position so thatthe arms do not interfere with insertion of a new roll.
 3. An apparatusas defined in claim 1, wherein the base attaches to the opposing sidewalls of a conventional toilet roll holder and allow said conventionalholder to accommodate larger diameter roll sizes which were previouslyunsupportable.